Countries › Belgium
Belgium
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, E · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 30–50 | 70–90 | 120 |
| With a trailer or caravan if the combination is over 3.5 t | 30–50 | 70–90 | 90 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes A few tolls
No tolls for cars except the Liefkenshoek tunnel (Antwerp). Over 3.5 t: distance toll for freight transport only.
Low-emission zones
Low-emission zones (LEZ) in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent: foreign vehicles must register (free) before entering or get fined. Old diesels are banned.
Boondocking Banned
Wild camping is generally banned. One rest night in a lay-by or car park is sometimes tolerated, with nothing set out (no table, no awning).
Mandatory equipment
- Reflective vest, within reach
- Warning triangle
- First-aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Good to know
- Priority to the right is very common, even on roads that look like main roads.
Frequently asked questions
- Belgium: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. International Driving Permit recommended (CAA, AAA): cheap, and it saves trouble. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Belgium: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 30–50 in town, 70–90 on rural roads, 120 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 70–90 on rural roads, 90 on motorways.
- Belgium: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- No tolls for cars except the Liefkenshoek tunnel (Antwerp). Over 3.5 t: distance toll for freight transport only.
- Belgium: are there low emission zones?
- Low-emission zones (LEZ) in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent: foreign vehicles must register (free) before entering or get fined. Old diesels are banned.
- Belgium: is wild camping allowed?
- Banned. Wild camping is generally banned. One rest night in a lay-by or car park is sometimes tolerated, with nothing set out (no table, no awning).
- Belgium: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Reflective vest, within reach, Warning triangle, First-aid kit, Fire extinguisher, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back.